There really is no big separation between these four schools. One is unbeaten and the rest are dominate ACC figures that we’re use to seeing make it this far into the tournament. Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest have been solid all season long. Akron on the other hand has been nearly perfect this year. I say nearly because they still have two potential games standing between them and perfection on the season.

Below are my previews for tonight’s game and a prediction of who I think will win it all.

Virginia v. Wake Forest (4:30 CST – ESPN2):

Players of Note:
VIRGINIA- Tony Tchani, Will Bates, Jonathan Villanueva, and Brian Ownby.
WAKE FOREST- Ike Opara, Corben Bone, Austin Da Luz, and Zach Schilawski.

This game is loaded with pure talent on both sides. Virginia found ways to beat Wake twice this season, which isn’t easy to do in any year. But believe me, beating a team three times in a season is no easy task when both sides are so evenly matched. These teams played to a scoreless draw in the ACC Tournament semifinals before UVA won on penalty kicks.

Wake will need to rely on their offense to win this one. Virginia has too good of a defense here that just takes over games. The Demon Deacons will need a big time performance out of Austin Da Luz here. If he can help generate the offense like he has done all year and find a way to break down this daunting defense then Wake could move on.

Virginia will need find a way to get Will Bates involved early on in this one. He’s big and physical around net, look for Ike Opera to be on him all day. If he isn’t able to find a way to break down Wake’s defense then look for Toni Tchani to have to pick up the slack. If Tchani is able to do some damage then I would like Virginia’s chances.

I think this one could easily go either way. UVA has the mental advantage in beating Wake twice this year but something about Wake in this game I like a little more. Revenge is a dish best served cold and look for Wake to move on with a close  win in overtime.

WVH Prediction: Wake Forest 1 – 0 Virginia

—————————————————————–

Akron v. North Carolina (6:30 CST ESPNU)

Players of Note:
AKRON- Teal Bunbury, Darlington Nagbe, Blair Gavin, Anthony Ampaipitakwong, and Kofi Sarkodie.
UNC- Zach Lloyd, Dustin McCarty, Michael Farfan, Billy Schuler, and Kirk Urso.

The Zips are quite a story here, going undefeated up until this point. Just two more games and the perfect season is their’s. Akron is all about speed and if UNC can slow down that speed with Dustin McCarty and Kirk Urso then they will go a long way in staying in this game. The thing is that won’t be easy to do as Akron has not one but two star forwards that are extremely tough to contain with Team Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe.

If anyone is an underdog in this Final Four it is the Tar Heels. UNC will need to rely a lot on Michael Farfan to generate some offense and to find guys like Zach Lloyd and Billy Schuler in space.

The difference in this one is pure talent though and I love the overall talent that Akron has. With difference makers like  Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Blair Gavin in the midfield I just have trouble seeing UNC pull the upset in this one. The Zips move on and get Wake in the final.

WVH Prediction: Akron 2, UNC 1

———————————————————

So that leaves Akron and Wake in the final based on these predictions. Just to be quick I’ll take Akron with the win in the final as well. I just love the overall amount of talent on that roster. Wake and Virginia would both present problems for Akron but with head coach Caleb Porter likely on his way to MLS with DC I just think this will be the one shot this bunch has at a national title. Not a bad send off if you ask me.

He's a long and difficult name to spell but it is something we will have to get use to with Anthony Ampaipitakwong.

We’re back for more 2010 MLS SuperDraft talk. I had meant to get to this yesterday but lost track of time in updating some of my lists for this. So far the response from everyone has been very good, so keep it up everyone.

For reference on the last rounds (round 1 & 2 & 3). Today’s focus has a little bit of everything. A couple guys though I’m putting on the list today may not be coming out at all this year as they are only sophomores but believe me they are worth a look for the long run here.

And just like last week, if you know of some guys that are worthy to be looked at here please email me or send their names to me via Twitter so I can include them in the next batch.

Note: This week’s list is a little lighter than I originally intended…been a very busy week for me here and personally. I’ll definitely have more in the next edition.

J.T. Noonan (Temple): This senior has been mentioned quite a bit lately for different reasons. He’s a guy that spreads the ball around nicely and some on here (and other places) have labeled him as another Chris Pontius. I’d say he will need a big MLS Combine to move up some draft boards though.

Michael Chesler (High Point): Not a lot of people know of Chesler because he goes to High Point and because he is just a sophomore but from the couple games I was able to see of him over the last couple weeks he is someone we definitely need to keep an eye out for. Now more than likely we won’t see him in this draft but we never know with some of these guys guys.

Ethan Findley (Creighton): With seven goals and a couple assist on the year Findley is quickly moving up some boards. While he is another sophomore that may wait another year his speed would certainly transition well into the pro game.

Billy Schuler (UNC): Leading the Tar Heels in goals is another sophomore. Schuler’s speed and toughness around goal is fun to watch. He’s definitely a guy to watch out for next year if he doesn’t come out to the draft this season. He continues to grow as a player and could be a special talent down the road.

Craig Henderson (Dartmouth): A kiwi on the list here. Yes this New Zealander is someone that really holds his own in the midfield. He was a pre-season All-American selection by a couple publications and out of the little bit of film I’ve seen on him he is one that would fit perfectly in a few MLS clubs. His work rate is also something that will be very attractive for clubs as he is a real work horse on and off the pitch.

Anthony Ampaipitakwong (Akron): I find it hard to believe I’ve only mentioned one Zip so far in my SuperDraft watches. Ampaipitakwong is a big time player for the Zips both offensively and defensively. He’s spent time with the US U-17s in the past and has been on some All-American boards for various publications.

Andrew Weideman (Cal): This kid has some serious talent around goal. His 11 goals and three assists should have people talking about possible Generation adidas contracts but even if that doesn’t happen he could definitely come out early (he’s only a junior) and find himself high on some draft boards.